Crispy Ground Chicken Thighs in Creamy Parmesan Mushroom Sauce
Crispy Chicken with Parmesan Mushroom Sauce exactly meets my definition for a comfort food: a protein in a rich creamy sauce. In this recipe, adding the skin to the rich thigh meat as it is passed through the grinder is a huge flavor and texture boost!
Things to know:
What spices are good in chicken thighs?
Garlic, onion powder, oregano, thyme, paprika, and pepper are all excellent choices, either alone in in any combination.
Why do people say comfort food?
It’s called comfort food because eating it provides emotional and physical comfort, often by activating the brain’s reward system and evoking nostalgic feelings of happiness and security. The term highlights the food’s ability to give psychological solace, which is why people crave it when stressed, sad, or nostalgic, even though the specific foods vary culturally and individually.
Who coined the phrase “comfort food”?
Some give credit to Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote, which was published in two parts, the first being in 1605 and the second, which included the words: “to give him things to eat which are comforting and appropriate for the heart and the brain…” in 1615 describing the food Quixote’s niece and her nurse were told to give him. Others trace it back to 1966, when the Palm Beach Post used it in a story which included: “Adults, when under severe emotional stress, turn to what could be called ‘comfort food’—food associated with the security of childhood, like mother’s poached egg or famous chicken soup.” Still another theory is it might have been Liza Minnelli who used the term for the first time in its modern meaning in an interview, admitting to craving a hamburger.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream for mushroom sauce?
Yes, you can use milk instead of cream to make mushroom sauce, but you will pay a price. The sauce will be less rich and creamy. So if you make this questionable choice, to achieve a thicker, creamier consistency with milk, you should create a roux by adding a bit more flour or cornstarch to the sauce, or add a pad of butter at the end to make it more velvety.
Ingredients:
For the Crispy Chicken:
4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs
1/2 t salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup tapioca flour
1 T unsalted butter
For the Mushroom Sauce:
2 T unsalted butter
10 oz portobello mushrooms, sliced into bite sized portions
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup white wine
2 T Spiceology’s Vampire Killer
1 cup heavy cream (full fat)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Garnish:
2 T finely sliced chives (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. De-bone the chicken thighs, then pass through a meat grinder (meat and SKIN…this is key for the crispiness… ) Form the ground chicken into 3 oz balls, then flatten into a patty, about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Sprinkle both sides of the patties with salt, pepper, and a light coating of flour.
2. In a large non-stick skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken patties and cook for about 2 1/2 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan, cover, and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and turn the heat to high. Add mushrooms, cooking for about 4 minutes until they start to brown around the edges.
4. Add minced garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper, cooking for another minute until garlic is fragrant and mushrooms are golden.
5. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock, scraping up any browned bits in the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
6. Lower heat to medium, then stir in the heavy cream and let it gently simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
7. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top. Let the chicken warm through for about 30 seconds.
9. Garnish with fresh chives, if desired. Serve directly from the pan for a cozy, family-style meal. This would pair nicely with rice or pasta! ENJOY!
Equipment used:
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